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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Match cell parts to the jobs they do

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-2England: KS3 Biology: Cells and organisationEngland: GCSE Combined Science: Cell biology

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Match cell parts to the jobs they do.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Plant and animal cells

Leads to: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Plant and animal cells). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which part of a cell is a thin layer around the cytoplasm? (nucleus / chloroplasts / cell membrane / cell wall) → cell membranePrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
  2. Cells: which statement is NOT true? (Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane. / Only animal cells have mitochondria. / Chloroplasts are found in plant cells, not animal cells. / Plant cells have a cell wall but animal cells do not.) → Only animal cells have mitochondria.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell contains the genetic material? (nucleus / cell wall / chloroplasts / mitochondria) → nucleusPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Match cell parts to the jobs they do. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which part of a cell matches this description: where proteins are made?
  • Step 1: Ribosomes join amino acids to make proteins.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: ribosomes
  • Answer: ribosomes
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which part of a cell matches this description: a thin, flexible layer around the cytoplasm? (cell membrane / mitochondria / cytoplasm / nucleus) → cell membranePrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. What does the cell wall do? (controls what the cell does / controls which substances enter and leave the cell / a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell / where photosynthesis happens) → a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cellPrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which part of a cell matches this description: a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell? (ribosomes / mitochondria / cell wall / cell membrane) → cell wallPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. What does the mitochondria do? (jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place / a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell / there are many of them in muscle cells / contains the DNA that carries genetic instructions) → there are many of them in muscle cellsPrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Plant and animal cells.
  • Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Match cell parts to the jobs they do

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Muscle cells in a sprinter's legs contain huge numbers of one structure. Which?

    • A. mitochondria
    • B. vacuoles
    • C. cell walls
    • D. chloroplasts

  2. Question 2

    Which part of a cell matches this description: where aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose?

    • A. chloroplasts
    • B. cell wall
    • C. mitochondria
    • D. nucleus

  3. Question 3

    What does the cell wall do?

    • A. where proteins are made
    • B. filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm
    • C. where aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose
    • D. a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell

  4. Question 4

    Cells in the pancreas make a lot of protein enzymes. They contain many…

    • A. ribosomes
    • B. vacuoles
    • C. chloroplasts
    • D. cell walls

  5. Question 5

    Which part of a cell matches this description: there are many of them in muscle cells?

    • A. cytoplasm
    • B. permanent vacuole
    • C. nucleus
    • D. mitochondria

  6. Question 6

    What does the chloroplasts do?

    • A. a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell
    • B. where photosynthesis happens
    • C. controls which substances enter and leave the cell
    • D. where aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose

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Answer key: Match cell parts to the jobs they do

  1. 1. A. mitochondria

  2. 2. C. mitochondria

  3. 3. D. a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell

  4. 4. A. ribosomes

  5. 5. D. mitochondria

  6. 6. B. where photosynthesis happens